Sam Lissner: Candidate Profile

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Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioQA Bio City: Elk Grove VillageWebsite: www.samlissner.comOffice sought: Elk Grove Village Board Age: 72Family: Married to Dolores. Daughter Sheryl Son-in-law: Pat Two Grandchildren: Matthew and LaurenOccupation: RetiredEducation: MBA - Keller Graduate School of Management BA - Applied Behavioral Science - Natonal Louis University 2 Associated Degrees - Harper Community CollegeCivic involvement: Queen of the Rosary Church Knights of Columbus Elk Grove Sister Cities Friends of Harper Fox Run Golf League Queen of the Rosary Men's Club Mead PTA Past member Elk Grove Village Lions ClubElected offices held: Trustee, Harper Community College 1986 to 1987; Board Member School District 59, 1987 to 1995 and board president for 2 years; Trustee, Elk Grove Village 1995 to presentQuestions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?Some say I am the best candidate for the job. I am enthusiastic to continue to serve the residents and businesses of our village.What is your opinion of your community's present level of local sales and property taxes? Is the tax just right, too low or too high? Explain.Our local sales tax and property tax are about right for the current economic conditions, but we must be diligent keep all taxes as low as possible for our residents and businesses.Rate the efficiency of your town's police and fire coverage. Are the departments well prepared for the next decade? What, if anything, should be changed? Do you have specific public safety concerns?We have outstanding police and fire departments and both stay abreast of technology and training needed now and for the future. My main public safety concern is the random acts of terrorism around the world and we must continue to work with National, State, County and other local governments to keep our communities safe.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?The board will be reviewing the fiscal year 2016 proposed budget in March 2015 submitted by the village manager. We will collectively be looking for areas of the budget to possibly adjust.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I have proposed a D.A.R.E.(Drug Abuse Resistance Education) expansion to be presented to High School students. I made this proposal 4 years ago and I am still pursuing support and funding. Currently DARE is a 10 week course given to 6th graders by specialty trained police officers. I would like to see the village work with local high schools to present a class geared to sophomores or juniors. For some students this will be a refresher course and for some their first class. We have to do whatever we can to prevent the problems caused by drugs, alcohol and tobacco.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Support our Mayor and the Suburban O'Hare Commission to find viable solutions to reduce the noise impacts on our residents and other communities.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.No one person. I try to learn from many leaders.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Be honest and to help othersIf life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I'd offer it to someone that needed it more than me.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Civics class in high school. The class and the instructor provided the spark to get involved in government and serving others.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Do your best and don't give up.